Pirate Press
Moving the Mountain with Our Scholars' Success in Mind!
10/30/2023
We are happy to have you as part of the MOUNTAIN MOVING Family!
#SMESStrong#BetterTogether#YouGotThis#WeGotThis
#StillMovingTheMountain
Please make sure students are on time. After 7:45 they are late. You will need to sign your student in at the front office.
SWAG DAY
Teach N Treat
Area 2 Track Camp
Pink Out
What You Believe is REAL Becomes Your Reality
Red Ribbon Week
Team Up!
Twin Day
Mix & Match Tacky Clothes Day
Book Character and Superhero Day
Red Day
October Student of the Month
Volunteer Training
Parent Liaison
Welcome Stone Mountain Pirates!
My name is Klaudie Putalova, and I am your Parent Liaison. I am excited to start this journey with you; working alongside you so that you can become a partner in the educational process. This is my second year in the district, and I have found that each person has an individual story to tell. I will be here to guide you in expressing your part as a leader in your own child’s future. It is my promise to you to work with you so that we can reach the key to student success! We have an open-door policy and will be glad to assist you with any questions you may have. As your Parent Liaison, my goals are to motivate, empower and assist you by creating wonderful programs and events that adhere to the curriculum in addition to being thematic, innovative, and memorable. As a proud wife and mother, myself, I truly understand that time is valuable. There will be many opportunities to engage you including before school, during school, after school.
Communication
We here at Stone Mountain Elementary take great pride in who you are and are committed to our vision for you and your child. The following is a list of ways we will be communicating with you so that you will always be well informed of the awesome things happening in our building and community. Here are additional ways of finding out what opportunities you have to learn and grow.
· School Broadcast Messages
· E-mail Correspondence
My e-mail address is: Klaudie_Putalova@dekalbschoolsga.org
· Parent Surveys
· Personal Phone Calls & Follow-Ups
· OUTSIDE ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD, STAY TUNED!!!
LEADERSHIP
We truly appreciate your willingness to become a parent leader. There are many ways that you can take on leadership opportunities in our school and district such as:
· Parent–teacher association (PTA)
SAFETY
Safety is our number 1 priority! When coming into the building for anything please make sure you visit the main office. They will provide you with a pass to the appropriate location and/or make an appointment for you. Also, please understand that if you wish to volunteer in a classroom or main office you must go through the district process. See me and I will gladly provide you with the details.
With the support of our Administration, Staff and Community we will collaborate to make this school year extremely productive.
“Parenting is not always easy, but it is the most rewarding position you will ever have! Informed Parents are Involved ParentsWe Need You!!
School Bus Drivers Needed
We are hiring! Are you interested in becoming a school bus driver? Whether you have a CDL or not, we will walk you through the process as well as provide training! Additionally, you may be able to keep your current job with the district as well as drive the school bus, if applicable.
We have competitive rates, flexible schedules and great training. Additionally, if you know someone who is interested, we will pay you a referral supplement of $350 for every bus driver hired who indicates you as the reason they chose DCSD.
Contact us today. We are scheduling summer training and there may be additional options for you! Please email Human Resources at DivisionOfHumanResources@dekalbschoolsga.org
If you are interested, please contact the Department of Transportation.
Main information 678.875.0110
ECE Parent Survey
Family Friendly Schools Audit
Our After School Director is Freddie Collins. For more information and registration, please contact her directly at freddie_collins@dekalbschoolsga.org. Thanks in advance.
Upon returning to school, SMES’ School hours are from 7:00am-2:05pm. We ask parents to not drop off their child prior to 7:00am. Students who are being dropped off between 7:00am – 7:20am, will need to enter the building from the cul-de-sac near the playground area. Cars cannot be in the bus lane, while buses are dropping off scholars. Parents are more than welcome to drop scholars off at the front of the building after 7:20am.
Breakfast is served daily from 7:00am to 7:30am in the cafeteria. All scholars should be at school no later than 7:45am to ensure that they get to class on time. Students arriving after 7:45am will need to be scanned in using the QR code posted on the door.
Uniform Policy
Please make provisions for students to be in uniforms the entire school year. Parents may choose from the following, Monday – Friday options below.
Bottoms: Khaki or Black
Tops: Red, Black or White
Shoes: Closed toe shoes (No Crocs, Flip Flops, Open Toed Sandals, etc.)
- All shoes must be safe and appropriate, low heeled or flat, with a closed toe.
- Sandals/Slides and open toe shoes are prohibited and not safe.
Stone Mountain Elementary School is a uniform school. All scholars are expected to be in uniforms daily.
Please Note:
- No jeggings/leggings
- No ripped or sagging pants
- No midriff revealing or see-through clothing
- No spandex or tight-fitting attire
- Shorts/Skorts/Skirts must be an appropriate length
Cell Phone Policy
Students will not use any electronic communication device, including but not limited to, pagers, beepers, cellular phones, smart phones, walkie-talkies, and similar devices during traditional and/or virtual instructional time (except for approved instructional purposes) or on school buses and must not interfere with the educational mission of the school or pose a safety hazard.
The instructional day includes, but is not limited to lunch periods, class changes, study halls, and any other structured or non-structured instructional activity that occurs during the normal school day. At all times, students are expected to adhere to the following rules relative to electronic communication devices:
- Phones must be turned completely off (not on silent or vibrate mode) and put away out of view (as directed by the school) during instructional time (official start of school day to the end of school day), except for approved instructional purposes.
- No text messaging is allowed, except for approved instructional purposes.
- Students with serious medical conditions or unusual circumstances may be given special permission by the school principal to use their device if it is determined to be essential for the health of the student.
Stone Mountain Elementary School functions as a safe and orderly environment. We have high academic and behavior expectations for our students; therefore, they are held accountable for their actions and choices. Our administrative staff as well as our faculty are committed to being proactive in resolving issues to ensure that your child is receiving the best education we have to offer. Please encourage your child to adhere to the DCSD Code of Conduct.
Devices Are In!
We are looking forward to fully engaging our 21st century scholars in rich instruction, through use of technology. This year, all Pre-K through 5th grade scholars will be assigned a device to use at school. Devices will not be sent or allowed to go home with scholars. Because we are one to one, scholars will not ever have to share devices. Scholars will retrieve their devices in homeroom, and travel with them throughout the day. They will return them to their assigned location at the end of each day.
Please visit the school website for the links to sign the Chromebook User Agreement form. All students and parents/guardians must sign the Agreement before receiving a device. Chromebooks will be distributed only to students who have signed the Chromebook User Agreement form. Chromebook insurance is also available to purchase.
School Website: https://www.stonemountaines.dekalb.k12.ga.us/Please click here to sign forms. In addition, insurance for Chromebooks will be offered this year and can be purchased here.
Students and parents/guardians are expected to adhere to all guidelines outlined in the Chromebook User Agreement. Please read it carefully before signing. Thank you.
Digital Dreamers Website: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/digital-dreamers/device-request/
Transportation
Parents are responsible for their student's transportation to and from school. Students can be dropped off at school or can ride the bus. Click Here for SMES bus routes.
Attention All Parents of Car Riders!
We wanted to provide a few updates for the car rider lane. If your child is a car rider, we ask you to please remain in your vehicle. This is done to ensure the safety of all scholars. To keep the line moving efficiently, we will be dismissing scholars in the order of your arrival in the car rider line. We will begin dismissing scholars at 2:05 pm. Dismissal is a process as we have many car riders in the school, and it is our priority to keep your scholars safe during this time. Please be advised that you may experience a delay if you walk up to the door. We ask that you please be patient with staff, dismissal is a process, and we want to be fair during the dismissal process by releasing scholars in the order that parents are in the CAR RIDER LINE. The car rider staff has now had the opportunity to get to know each of you as you pick up your scholars, therefore the line is moving much more efficiently than it was during the first couple of weeks of school. As a reminder, if you are not going to be able to pick up your scholar and will be sending someone else to pick them up, please communicate this with their homeroom teacher so that we may verify the identity of the individual we are releasing your scholar to. This again is to ensure the safety of all of our scholars here at SMES. Thank you so much for your patience, cooperation and understanding.
School Events
Connecting to Canvas for Parents (Instructions Attached)
Here, at SMES, we want you to see everything your scholar is doing at school. In order for that you happen, parents must create an account and log in through a desktop or laptop device (no cell phones). Instructions are attached. Please note the courses will be published by the end of the month, but we want you to already have access.
Parent Website to log in: https://dekalb.instructure.com/login/canvas
Interactive Tutorial: https://ior.ad/8oe3
School Nutrition
Breakfast and lunch will be served daily to all students. All scholars will eat breakfast and lunch for free, as a CEP school.
Snacks for sale:
Plain Baked Cheetos $0.75
Polar Blast Fruit Juice Bar $.75
Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cone $1.00
Water 12oz. $1.00
Powerade Zero 20 oz. $1.25
Who’s Who at SMES? (First Responders)
char-shenda_covington@dekalbschoolsga.org
Assistant Principal: Ms. Natasha Hendricks
natasha_hendricks@dekalbschoolsga.org
Registrar: Ms. Natola Hawthorne
natola_d_hawthorne@dekalbschoolsga.org
Counselors:
Ms. Isa Everett (K-2)
isa_everett@dekalbschoolsga.org
Ms. Kendia Adams (3-5)
kendia_adams@dekalbschoolsga.org
Ms. Marsia Brown-Smith (Mental Health)
marsia_brown-smith@dekalbschoolsga.org
Academic Coaches:
Mrs. Chandra Quick-Molden
chandra_molden@dekalbschoolsga.org
Mrs. April Roberson
april_roberson@dekalbschoolsga.org
Content Specialist:
Ms.Iris Downs
iris_hannah@dekalbschoolsga.org
Dr. Mariah McCoy
mariah_mccoy@dekalbschoolsga.org
Parent Liaison: Mrs. Klaudie Putalova
Parent Portal
Connecting to Canvas for Parents (Instructions Attached)
Here, at SMES, we want you to see everything your scholar is doing at school. In order for that you happen, parents must create an account and log in through a desktop or laptop device (no cell phones). Instructions are attached. Please note the courses will be published by the end of the month, but we want you to already have access.
Parent Website to log in: https://dekalb.instructure.com/login/canvas
Interactive Tutorial: https://ior.ad/8oe3
Wellness Presentation
Though masks are not required, but strongly encouraged, we wanted to ensure we equipped our scholars with meaningful information about their wellness. Please see attached a presentation provided by Nurse Alexander.
DCSD 2023-2024 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Moving the Mountain
Vision: Empowering scholars and cultivating leaders to exceed academic expectations by achieving goals, being responsible, resourceful and respectful.
The mission of Stone Mountain Elementary School is to teach the total child within a collaborative effort between home, school, and community to ensure academic success in a safe and nurturing environment.
Email: char-shenda_covington@dekalbschoolsga.org
Website: stonemountaines.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Location: 6720 James B Rivers Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain, GA, USA
Phone: (678) 676-4702
Twitter: @stonemountaines